BILL MARTIN - Mendocino Art Center

Fort Bragg
A Great Place to Shop
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Shopping is its own art form and deserves a place
on everyone’s itinerary. And Fort Bragg, a largely undiscovered
little gem, is a fun and quirky shopping destination.
This small town on the spectacular Pacific Ocean
is the largest coastal town between San Francisco and
Eureka. And even though only 7,000 people live there,
shopping in Fort Bragg can be an all-day experience.
One of the first things you’ll notice is the renewal
taking place in the historic downtown. Many small scale
streets are newly-paved and designed for strolling – with
shops, lots of shops. There are no big-box stores, and
almost no chain stores. Most are locally-owned businesses
such as boutiques, bookstores, clothing and shoe
stores, hand-crafted gifts, bed
and bath shops, antique stores,
and home décor galleries.
If you know about Fort Bragg’s
history as a fishing and logging
town, you might be surprised
by the wealth of art. The county
has more artists per capita
than any other rural county,
which means you’ll find galleries,
shops and cafes showcasing
famous and soon-to-be-so
artists and craftspeople. There
are unexpected finds around
every corner, numerous galleries
and other businesses showcasing
local paintings, jewelry,
fine woodworking and quality
crafts.
There are even monthly ‘First Friday’ Art Walks
which offer a combination of music, dancing, art and late
evening shopping. Recent Art Walks included Sidewalk
Chalk Art for artists of all ages, and participatory Street
Art ranging from small graffiti-style statements to grand
masterpieces. There’s also been free family skating at the
Mendocino Coast Recreation Center, and outdoor entertainment
provided by Two Blue Dudes, Kevin and the
Coconuts, and the Trillium Tribe Dancers. All that just
to entertain you as you wander between the art displays
and complementary snacks and libations provided by
galleries, restaurants and shops.
And as you walk the historic district of Main, Laurel
and Franklin Streets, you’ll discover not just great shops,
but also a coffeehouse with live music, an ice cream parlor
with handmade ice cream, local wine tasting, a micro
brewpub, and restaurants and cafes for every taste and
budget. Once you’ve satisfied your shopping and food
cravings, you can take yourself on a walking tour of the
town’s ‘Oddities’ (see related story), explore a city park
with redwoods too big to put your arms around, or cross
a creek at the ocean’s edge on the historic Pudding Creek
Trestle. All walked-out? Maybe there’s still time for a
rejuvenating massage at one of Fort Bragg’s spas.
Shopping in Fort Bragg is more than one-of-a-kind
shops brimming with quality merchandise. There’s also
a strong “Shop the Coast First” attitude, embraced by
residents who understand they’re helping to sustain
their unique lifestyle when they support local merchants.
The folks who live here realize that whether it’s buying
Christmas gifts or replacing worn socks, the money
they spend in town allows mom-and-pop shops to keep
friends and family members employed.
So the next time your itinerary calls for a shopping
trip, discover Fort Bragg – a small town destination that
wants for nothing but infinite time to explore it.
Fort Bragg ‘Oddities’
Walking Tour
It’s nice to walk. Walking is a wonderful way to
get to know Fort Bragg – which is why Ron Bloomquist